Citation

Halperin JM, Sharma V, Siever LJ, Schwartz ST, Matier K, Wornell G, Newcorn JH. Am. J. Psychiatry 1994; 151(2): 243-248.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Queens College, Flushing, NY 11367.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8296897

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess central serotonergic (5-HT) function in aggressive and nonaggressive boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. METHOD: Prolactin response to a challenge dose of the 5-HT agonist d,l-fenfluramine was assessed in 25 7-11-year-old boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who were divided into aggressive and nonaggressive subgroups. In addition, the subgroups were compared on plasma catecholamine metabolites and platelet 5-HT. RESULTS: The aggressive group had a significantly greater prolactin response to the fenfluramine challenge than the nonaggressive subgroup. The groups did not differ on peripheral measures of neurotransmitter function. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that aggressive and nonaggressive children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder differ in central 5-HT functioning.

Language: en